Page 93 of Hidden Resolution

Guessing her intention to slam the door, he stuck his foot on the threshold. “Look, I have to go, but I intend to finish this.”

She jerked the door wider and snatched his phone.

“Jesus!” She gaped. “Zack thinks Christie is at his house? Why doesn’t he just call the police?”

“Because he’s not sure.”

“Your brothers intend to confront Christie to end this thing, don’t they?” She didn’t wait for his answer. “Come inside while I change my shoes.”

He grabbed his device back.

“Oh, fuck no! You arenotgoing,” his tone was flat, final.

“I am. You and I can drive together and back each other up, or I can go by myself.”

“You forgot there’s a third option,” he said silkily.

As expected, she challenged him, “Oh, and what’s that?”

“I can tie you up.”

She gulped in the face of his menacing grin and uncrossed her arms.

“Y-you wouldn’t dare.” False bravado inched her chin higher.

“Oh, love, I would dare a great many things,” he whispered, inches from a kiss. “You might enjoy being tied up.”

Before their mouths could meet, she shoved him. “No. Next time you come to me, it better be because you want more than a casu?—”

He pressed a finger against her lips. “Don’t say it. You’ve made your point.” God, he fucking hated that phrase. Why had he ever uttered it?

“I’ve got to go,” he said. “As it is, I’m going to be late.”

“I told you, I’m going, too,” she replied stubbornly.

Based on past experience, she would follow him on her own, and her insistence was more than simple contrariness. With the lost job, the near-death, and her friend’s abduction, it appeared Shonda had reached a critical point and needed to take her life back. On many levels, he understood, but he couldn’t live with himself if she got hurt or, god forbid, killed.

“Mason. Erica is my sister in every way that matters. What if the situation were reversed? Would you sit it out?”

Without a doubt, he’d hate himself later, but he caved nevertheless. “Fine. But you doexactlyas I say.”

“Fine,” she agreed, eyes expressionless.

“You’re lying,” he said. “Have I ever told you how much I hate liars?”

“Have I ever told you how much I hate players?” she retorted.

“Go. Dress in all black and make sure they’re clothes you can move freely in.”

Suspicious, she asked, “You won’t leave me?”

“No. Now get dressed. We’re out of time. Zack is determined to end this tonight.”

27

Mason drew up about a hundred yards from Zack’s house.They had inched their way around the block and checked the area for the best approach, careful to avoid driving by his place. Turning around, they backtracked wherever they could. More than once, they stopped and studied the nearest neighbors’ yards to be certain Christie hadn’t implemented her camera trick.

Dane messaged them with Zack’s suspicions and detailed their plan. Mason was to go in through the patio door. Once inside, he could sneak up and disarm Christie while Zack distracted her. Dane was the secondary backup and would stay hidden until the last possible moment.